Pakistan, Malaysia ink $200m halal meat plan and six cooperation accords

Pakistan and Malaysia reaffirmed their intent to broaden economic ties on Monday as Kuala Lumpur announced plans to import $200 million worth of halal meat from Pakistan during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s official visit. The leaders said they would expand collaboration across trade, education, technology and governance.

At a joint news conference, Shehbaz praised Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s leadership and described relations as strengthened by people-to-people links, including thousands of Pakistani students in Malaysia. He also marked the launch of an Urdu translation of Anwar’s book “Script,” highlighting shared priorities in sustainability and innovation.

Anwar underscored that durable peace between Pakistan and India is essential for regional stability and pledged cooperation against terrorism. He also lauded Pakistan’s efforts to play a constructive role in peace initiatives related to the Middle East.

Both sides exchanged six instruments to deepen ties: cooperation between Malaysia’s Institute of Diplomacy and Foreign Relations and Pakistan’s Foreign Service Academy; tourism collaboration; halal certification; joint action against corruption; and SME development between SME Corp Malaysia and Pakistan’s SMEDA. The documents were exchanged by senior ministers including Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Haji Mohamad Hasan, with tourism and commerce portfolios represented by Tiong King Sing, Attaullah Tarar, Dr Mohd Na’im and Jam Kamal Khan.

Shehbaz received a guard of honour at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office at the start of his three-day visit. He traveled with a delegation that included senior cabinet members and aides. Officials said the engagements are aimed at translating goodwill into projects that boost trade, investment and skills development.